In the ongoing Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving jailed swindler Sukesh Chandrashekhar, Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s legal team has claimed in the Delhi High Court that she was unaware of the illegal origin of the gifts she allegedly received. Are connected to the case.
According to ANI, the Delhi High Court recently heard the arguments of Jacqueline Fernandez’s lawyer, who is challenging the charge sheet filed against her.
Her lawyers claimed that she was not involved in any money laundering activities and had no idea that the gifts she received were linked to alleged proceeds of crime.
During the hearing, Justice Anish Dayal raised the question whether it is the responsibility of an adult to know the source of the gifts he receives. The next hearing of the case has been fixed for November 26.
Senior lawyer Siddharth Aggarwal, representing Fernandes, argued that she was unaware that the gifts allegedly from Sukesh Chandrashekhar were purchased using the money extorted from Aditi Singh. Aggarwal stressed that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had not suggested that Fernandes knowingly received the proceeds of crime.
He further submitted that though there may have been a lapse on his part, it was not a criminal lapse and, therefore, not actionable under law.
The ED claims Fernandes failed to verify a newspaper article in February 2019 regarding the activities of Sukesh Chandrashekhar, but his defense says the article is not admissible evidence.
Fernandes’ legal team also said that he was misled by co-accused Pinky Irani, who convinced him that Sukesh had strong political connections and was a political fixer.
According to her lawyers, she had stopped communicating with Sukesh after learning about the article and was unaware that the gifts she received were linked to the crime. He claims that he had no involvement in money laundering.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been continuously sending letters to Jacqueline Fernandez from jail, expressing his affection towards her. Recently, he revealed plans to invest a staggering $135 million in Hollywood projects for his “lady love”. He attributed the idea to advice he received from his “big brother,” Donald Trump.
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